Colombian army says 6 soldiers killed in attack in northwest

Authorities blame alleged drug traffickers from the Gulf Clan for the assault in Colombia’s northwest.

Colombian soldiers
Colombian troopers throughout a patrol in a mangrove swamp, in Tumaco, Colombia, December 13, 2021 [File: Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters]

A minimum of six Colombian troopers have been killed in a bombing within the nation’s northwest, the military stated, attributing the assault to accused drug traffickers who're lively within the space.

One other 5 troopers have been injured and one stays lacking after the assault, which came about round midnight Tuesday within the Antioquia division and was blamed on the Gulf Clan cartel.

“Sadly the homicide of six of our troopers is confirmed,” the military stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The 5 injured troopers from the Fourth Brigade “have been evacuated by aeroplane” to a hospital.

“Troops on the bottom are persevering with to search for considered one of our troopers,” the military stated.

Authorities within the South American nation captured the pinnacle of the Gulf Clan cartel, Dairo Antonio Usuga in October of final 12 months. Higher often called Otoniel, he was Colombia’s most-wanted drug trafficker.

Otoniel captured in Colombia
Otoniel was captured by Colombian forces in October 2021 [Colombia’s Military Forces/Handout via Reuters]

Colombia is the world’s greatest producer of cocaine, in line with the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime (UNODC).

President Ivan Duque welcomed Otoniel’s arrest as “the largest blow to drug trafficking” within the nation in a long time.

Duque has stated his authorities is working to extradite him, most probably to the USA, the place he's needed on drug trafficking costs.

The Gulf Clan has elevated its assaults within the aftermath of Otoniel’s seize.

Common Juvenal Diaz informed Blu Radio that the group was chargeable for Tuesday’s assault, during which “an improvised explosive gadget” was detonated as a navy car was passing.

Authorities stated that the Antioquia division is a essential hall for the transportation of cocaine from Colombia’s Pacific coast in direction of Panama and the US.

The assault comes because the nation is making ready for elections subsequent month.

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